Drought causes issues for almond growers [Chico Enterprise-Record]
With
thousands of dollars invested, no farmer looks to abandon crops or bulldoze
orchards. But the drought is forcing some farms in Glenn County to consider
doing just that….Mike Vereschagin, of Vereschagin Farms, had to "push
out" 75-acres of almond trees this year because of limited well capacity.
The trees were older and take more water to stay healthy, so by bulldozing the
orchard, he can replace the aged trees with saplings that use much less
water….Vereschagin said early estimates from the U.S. Department of Agriculture
predict a smaller harvest of almonds this year, and he predicted it would be
less than the government thinks….Almond farmers in Butte County aren't having
the same issues as those in Glenn County. "We're kind of fortunate to be the
almond basket of the world," said Stacy Gore, president of the Butte
County Farm Bureau.
State seeks better
local water-use oversight [North Bay Business Journal]
As
state water regulators prepare send out water-use curtailment notices to
winegrape growers and other property owners in part of the Russian River
watershed to stave off a drought disaster, the state’s top agriculture official
told wine industry professionals that should be proactive in local efforts to
manage use of water above and below ground, because winds in Sacramento are
blowing toward greater regulation. “We want it to be as light-handed as
possible, while still having it be real,” Secty. Ross said to the seminar
audience at the Napa Valley Marriott on Wednesday….The state water board is
moving toward cutting back use of Russian River water from Healdsburg north
starting the latter half of May, applying first to water permits obtained after
1914, with application to pre-1914 permits then riparian rights coming later.
Fines are $1,000 a day plus a $2,500 penalty….Water supply is becoming more of
a factor in whether governments approve new vineyard and winery projects — and
whether such properties get sold, according to attorneys.
Editorial: Feinstein's strong words for environmentalists [Fresno
Bee]
Well,
U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein of California really has touched a nerve this
time. After years of politically paddling a little to the left and a little to
the right, it appears she might leave her environmentalist friends on the left
behind -- once and for all. This week, Feinstein told Carolyn Lochhead, the San
Francisco Chronicle's Washington, D.C., correspondent, that environmentalists
"have never been helpful to me in producing good water
policy."…Reasonable people can sit down and work out solutions to
difficult challenges. We hope that Feinstein's strong words will be a wake-up
call to environmentalists to get off their high horses and help solve
California's water problems.
Meat labeling vs.
free speech: A fine meal for judges [Sacramento Bee]
…On
Monday, 12 judges on what’s called the nation’s second-highest court will
gather in an unusual session to consider claims that country-of-origin label
requirements violate U.S. meat producers’ First Amendment rights. It’s a case
with global implications….Led by the American Meat Institute, ranchers, packers
and others are challenging U.S. Department of Agriculture rules that govern
country of origin labels. In particular, they dislike a sweeping requirement to
identify where the source animal was born, raised and slaughtered….A federal
judge declined last year to block the label rules from taking effect.
Farmers market
legislation [Los Angeles Times]
For
many years, state and county agricultural officials have argued that they lack
adequate funds to enforce farmers market regulations, particularly the
provisions forbidding vendors to resell produce bought from other farms and
wholesalers. One year ago, Assembly Bill 996, intended to boost resources for
enforcement, failed to pass the California Assembly Appropriations Committe
largely because the revenue it would raise exceeded anticipated costs. A
revised version, AB 1871, introduced Feb. 19 by Assemblyman Roger Dickinson
(D-Sacramento), closes the gap; both costs and revenues are estimated at $1.35
million by an official analysis. AB 1871 will come up for a crucial vote before
the Assembly Appropriations Committeeo on May 23. Market stakeholders, including
county agricultural commissioners, the California Farm Bureau Federation, the
California Alliance of Farmers Markets and the Community Alliance With Family
Farmers, are continuing to work to fine-tune the bill. If it passes the
legislature and is signed by Gov. Jerry Brown, it would take effect in January.
State panel approves
Marin coastal plan [Marin Independent Journal]
A
plan outlining development policies along the Marin coast was approved by the
state Coastal Commission this week….The state rejected assertions by the
Environmental Action Committee of West Marin that the updated plan would pave
the way for more development of coastal areas. A letter from committee CEO Amy
Trainer contended that new definitions of agriculture and related revisions
including allowing residential dwellings for farm family members represented
"drastic, far-reaching policy changes" that could open a
"floodgate" of construction….Supervisor Steve Kinsey, chairman of the
state commission, noted the primary issue contested Thursday was the plan
allowing development of "inter-generational" family homes not subject
to appeal to the state commission….The commission voted 7-5 to allow vineyards
as a principally permitted use not subject to state appeal.
Ag
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